If you get invited or are able to get a seat go!!! Such a cool experience and the food as great. The booths are tight and not much elbow room. Once you sit the waiter pulls up a chair and sits at the table and rattles off the menu from memory. He even has all the wines memorized. He suggested the food and glad he did. Gotta get the amazing meatballs. We had to roll out after all the food. It was about $100 all in per person which I thought was really reasonable. We went with a friend who had been many times. He asked the price of the wine, $100 which was reasonable. He said last he went and didn't ask he was charged $250 a bottle. My new favorite place in the city!! read more

It is honestly impossible to write a review for Rao's... Imagine what it would be like to sit down with the cast of Goodfellas. Where everyone knows each other and you're all there for a good time. Where the walls almost talk about all the history the place has. The interesting concept here is that families own the tables. If you don't know someone who owns or knows the people who owns the table you wont be able to sit down. The waitress said you are free to come for drinks and talk to the locals. Then you might be able to get a shot at a table, but good luck. If you can get a table at this place, take it. You wont be disappointed. read more

We came quite late to this place, the restaurant was completely full like usual, we ordered some Jack daniels, served in the chepest glasses you can ever find. Thoes 2 stars goes just for the way how they use to serve alcohool. Food, coming soon. read more

Oh my Gawd! I have only been here once, was taken here on probably one of the best meals of my life. I have no idea how my friend got us a table, but it was around my birthday, so I know he pulled some serious strings. It's all true, you CANNOT get a table here, unless you know someone, I've heard people have waited years with no luck. Part of the appeal is that exclusive speakeasy feel, and this is really a joint where actual wiseguys congregate (and can get a table). Is it worth it? Completely and utterly, this is the best Italian food I'VE EVER HAD! You can of course buy some of their sauce now, but that's not doing it justice. If you ever have any sort of chance to go, drop all other plans. read more

UPDATED REVIEW. My second trip here was the experience I always dreamed of!! I am posting my original review below, which was a great review...but this time, EVERYTHING WAS ON POINT!! The calamari was OFF THE CHART. Perfectly seasoned and fried. The mozzarella and tomato was so fresh, and succulent. The salad was cold and refreshing. The meatballs...OMG! AMAZING. The lemon chicken was breathtaking. DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE BROCCOLI RABE!! We took our servers recommendations for everything and NOT ONE THING was less than a five star rating. The only problem-I WAS STUFFED!! So much food, so little room in my belly. The dessert was outstanding, especially the cheesecake and the tartufo. This was the BEST ITALIAN Meal I have ever eaten in my life. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK!! Ambiance was great, as noted, this was not my first time here and the crowd is always nice, but this time, half way through our meal a 'rowdier' group started singing the national anthem, next thing you know the whole restaurant is standing and singing. Cash only, I LOVE YOU RAOS! Was super excited to get this exclusive invite to the famous Rao's. There are so many reviews that you can read that will let you know there is no menu, they do not take reservations and plan to leave by rolling out! I will purely grade the food. I do not like seafood salad in general, but must admit it was mighty fresh and tasty. The baked clams had this amazing crust on top that was memorable. The fried mozerella was just okay, wish they served more sauce with it, or offered more. The pasta with sausage and broccoli rabe was incredible. I mean capital Terriffic, a must have. The pene and meatballs were okay. The meatballs were not my preference of consistency, very very fine-the only way I could compare the consistency is to matzah. THE PORK. Oh, sweet lord, the Pork with sweet peppers was spectacular...over the moon spectacular. We also got the lemon chicken which was actually kind of dry:( although the skin was crisp and delicious. Got the asparagus which were heavy in garlic, and nothing special. The dessert was several selections of ice creams, and really cool flavors but I am a sucker for cheesecake which was a ten. I mean melt in your mouth, totally delectable, never forget the moment we met, TEN! Coffee was strong and pretty awesome. I felt the experience was great, the service was good, the food was delicious. read more

Rao's - The bolognese and the broccoli rabe - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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I had the ultimate blessing of getting to dine at Rao's with my boyfriend and his parents. This place is as hard to get seated as hyped but if you are one of the fortunate ones, the food lives up to the hype. Being born and raised in NYC with parents who were born and raised in Italy, home cooked Italian food and I are not strangers. My experience at Rao's was unlike any other. I walked in and immediately felt at home . I must have met everyone who works there and was showered with hugs and kisses from everyone from the owner to the busboys. The atmosphere is warm, friendly, and inviting. We sat at a back booth and had an array of choices for dinner. I would recommend almost anything here for apps we had the calamari, which were the most tender pieces i have ever experienced. Seafood salad that included chunks of fresh lobster. Amazing. And roasted peppers with pine nuts, normally not a fan of peppers, ate every bite. Order the orrecchiete with broccoli rabe and sausage . broccoli rabe was the freshest tasting, right from the market fresh. the highlights were the 2 enormous meatballs that fed four people and melted in your mouth, LEMON CHICKEN AND RIB EYE. don't even question just order it. You'll remain speechless. if you can manage to order dessert do it! I was fortunate enough to have their black raspberry ice cream. After a very filling dinner, I a managed to finish that whole dish of homemade ice cream Amazing!! if you have the opportunity drop all plans and go.. A meal you'll never forget. read more

We use to eat here when we were kids. Food is good. But since I moved out of the neighborhood, I have not been there in 35 years. To try to get in there now, you gotta have the Pope call for you. I would much rather eat at Frankie and Johnnies Pine Tavern up in the Bronx. They treat you better, the food is great, the wait staff goes above and beyond. I have been eating there since I was 7. The place is really done up nice, and if you are a Yankee fan, you will love it. read more

We started with Rao's famous seafood salad, their home roasted red peppers, baked clams oreganata, and a simple tossed salad. The seafood salad had big chunks of lobster meat and squid, shrimp and crab in a light olive oil dressing. It was excellent. The roasted peppers were good. The baked clams acceptable but not memorable (to be fair, I had chosen them), and the salad was surprisingly tasty. I reminded me of the salads that my grandmother used to make, with oregano and red wine vinegar on chopped iceberg lettuce and tomatoes. For pasta we had rigatoni with broccoli rabe and sausage and ravioli in marinara sauce. The rigatoni was cooked perfectly al dente, with plenty of broccoli rabe and pork sausage, but the sauce was a little thin. The marinara is excellent, and the ravioli were good (a little soft to my taste). Accompanying the pasta came the meatballs - one big one each. They're about the size of a baseball. They are incredibly moist, and indeed, medium rare on the inside. They have this excellent, garlicky, romano cheesey flavor. I fully understood the hype on these meatballs from the first bite. It would have been easy to quit there, but we weren't finished. Jumbo shrimp oreganata and chicken scarpariello, chicken braised in white wine with hot and sweet sausage, and hot and sweet peppers. The shrimp may have been great, I couldn't honestly tell you because the chicken was absolutely delicious. It had exactly the right mix of salty, savory and hot. I could've eaten another full tray. By the time we were done, the place was really jumping. All the other tables were full, and the famous juke box had been turned up. The owners were making the rounds of the room - it was truly delightful. I didn't want to go home (and the difficulty finding a cab up there almost ensured I didn't). Bottom line: the food runs the gamut from B+ to A+ - and there really is some A+. When coupled with the atmosphere, it is an unparalleled New York experience. If you have a chance, you should definitely go. With any luck, I'll have an opportunity to post on it again some day. P.S. they take only cash, and I have no idea what the bill was, though my sense is that it ain't cheap. read more

Best Caesar salad I've had but service wasn't too friendly and entree was nothing special for a gigantic price tag. Not horrible, but a neighborhood Italian bistro beats this place. Dinner was marginal for over $200 for two people. Would never return. Felt ripped off walking out of the restaur read more

I LOVE RAO's!!! Besides the delicious homemade food that I continue to crave constantly the cast of characters that frequent this place is pure entertainment! The people who run the restaurant are the nicest guys- stop at the bar and talk to Nicky vest! Bonus -you get a discount if you purchase any of the Rao's sauces at the restaurant instead of getting ripped off at the grocery store! read more

Frank P. Invited us to eat on a Monday night after two grueling hours of longingly staring at all the entitled diners - downing glasses upon glasses of wine. It made it all the more rewarding to have a seat at one of the most coveted tables in NYC. The food was really good for what I expected to end up being a gimmicky NYC experience. Definitely recommend. read more

I was last there in the 70's.Great food.However since they have implemented their "buy a table" policy I have not been back. I now frequent IL Mulino's.Which has as high a quality as Rao's and the lunch is incredible.Plus who wants to drive all the way to Harlem except some want a be swells who think they are living dangerously eating with the "wise guys". read more

My son close friend won an auction to dine at this restaurant that only included the luxury to have a reservation. That should give one an idea how hard it is to get a reservation at this restaurant. So it seems possibly that the tables in this small restaurant are pre-reserved by a clientele that Rao's has either rented or has given a lifetime reservation spot. Either way, if you ever have the good fortune to have an invitation to dine at this restaurant, don't miss that date for the experience should be well worthwhile. Yes, there is a Rao's in Vegas and Los Angeles, but NYC Spanish Harlem Rao's is the real deal. The Italian sauces are excellent and the food experience is worthwhile. Be sure to bring a thick wallet if you have the fortunate pleasure to dine here. It will be pricey, but worth it read more

Rao's - NYC Location Late Night! - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Perfect version of Italian American dishes served in a private club. Meatballs and seafood salad are a must. The staff is personable and will become your best friends by the end of the night. read more

Aside from good wholesome food, you get the experience! Upon walking into this corner restaurant which felt like a movie set in The Godfather or the GoodFellas, I instantly knew I was walking into a very special place. FYI: Martin Scorsese​ sat at one of these tables and derived six of the roles in GoodFellas from the restaurant regulars. Also, a regular you have to be to eat here. Unless you know someone, that knows someone and then knows someone else, you might just get lucky. That's what happened to me and I will take the experience and say it's one to remember. We ordered a little bit of everything popular on the menu, one of which is the mouth-watering with Italian flavor MEATBALLS WITH MARINA SAUCE and SHELLS WITH RICOTTA. I had that with the house Merlot and it was truly a great meal. I have to say the lamb was a bit chewy, but the HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM was so creamy and really very, very good! This place made me feel at home with family and friends. At the beginning of the meal, the waiter took a seat next to us and took our order, gave us eye contact and really attended to us on a personal level. The famous host Frank Pellegrino greeted me at the door, sang to us when the jukebox wasn't playing Frank Sinatra. He also kissed me goodbye and thanked me for eating with him. I left there with a personalized cookbook "Rao's Cookbook" signed by Frank with all it's recipes, tips, and tricks to a great Italian meal. Currently, I am trying to copy the Marina meatball dish, but I don't think I can get it to perfection like Rao's, but I'll try :) read more

Truly disappointed! I'm not usually one to write reviews and it's especially hard for me to have to write this during a pandemic when so many places are struggling. But after what I saw i felt compelled to. I placed an order for takeout and was super excited to finally try food from this legendary restaurant. It was a special occasion and wanted to make sure it was a memorable one. I get to the restaurant and I notice most of the staff unmasked, and also saw the chef blatantly SMOKING a cigarette in the establishment. I was absolutely shocked at this. Instead of confronting them I decided to leave without picking up my order. As great as the food might be, nothing is worth the potential of getting covid-19 with their blatant disregard for safety protocols. Now I'm out of an anniversary dinner. read more

5 stars for the overall experience. Was lucky enough to have been invited here for dinner and it lives up to the hype. The service is extraordinary. They don't care who you are or how much you spend, they treat everybody like family. The food is good (though not mind blowing). Everything was very fresh, simply prepared and huge family style portions. They don't have a menu but the server will let you know what they have that evening. We were 6 people and ordered the seafood salad, fried seafood, ricotta balls, burrata and tomato salad, meatballs, two pasta dishes, lamb chops, veal milanese and the lemon chicken. If giving the chance definitely check out this new york legend. read more

How pathetic to clamor over the thought of getting a table at Rao's. The devil really has your mind if you're that ecstatic over getting a table at Rao's. -- Rao's is your old school bachagaloop wizeguys kind of place with over-hyped food. The whole mystique of the place is the difficulty of obtaining a table. Kind of like trying to get into a popular nightclub, same type of stupidity involved---- If this food was served in a blindfolded taste test, doubt very many people would rave over it until they were told it was Rao's, it's all brainwashing into believing you are getting something extraordinary beyond human limits. I'll tell you, this is some dream Rao's has had and it seems to make no sense. --- If you're a pretentious name dropper I suggest Rao's for you, but if you want a real down to earth italian dinner, look elsewhere. ---- In America we love to over-hype everything and Rao's fits right in. read more

I got to dine last night at this Institution for Italian food with some friends. Since they don't take reservations and you have to be a "friend" or really know someone, this was an offer I could not refuse. When I first drove up, the place looks like a very small corner establishment with only the name above the door. If you did not know what you were looking at, you would really have no clue it was a restaurant. You enter the place and it is small just like everyone says. There is a full bar on the right and the bartender, Nick, has been here for over 38 years. He was funny and friendly and full of funny stories. I knew I was going to have a fun night and I did. My friends arrived and we were escorted to our table. It seems to work that a very select group of friends have over the decades have reserved tables and unless you are with them or get permission to use their table, you are not sitting down for dinner. So if you get invited to dine here, you have to go and experience this place. The place filled up in about a half hour and stayed that way thru the night. We had such a great time laughing and talking. This is the magic of this place, everyone ends up talking with each other and it becomes like a family event. One large group worked their way outside in front of the place and was playing the guitar and singing! Kind of a magical place. The food is served family style and the servers are very nice. There is no menus and your server will sit with you and go over what is being prepared tonight. We got some calamari, fried mozzarella, and fried soft shell crabs to start. All very tasty. The bartender came over and recited the available wines. We took his suggestion and enjoyed numerous bottles. Main courses were two different kinds of pastas, lemon chicken, sliced steak, veal, and some more soft shell crabs. Again, the food was good. we were so full that the offer of dessert was passed up. Before we knew it, we had been there for over 3 1/2 hours and it seemed like only an hour. Again, if you get the chance to go here, go for it! You will not be disappointed, but remember the food is good but the fun is fantastic. read more

If you can get in (they don't call Frankie "Frankie No" for nothin'), you will have some of the best Italian food of your life, even if you're eighty and have just come over from Sicily. The pasta sauces are so incredibly flavored, you could drink them straight. If you can't, Frankie also has Baldoria, which is EXCELLENT although it cannot hold a candle to Rao's; that drinkable sauce is also available at your local fine grocer. It is like the end of the world to me that there's a Rao's in Vegas now, btw. read more

Wow...don't understand the hype. We were excited to try the take-out. Pasta: overcooked, no flavor, we had superior high school cafeteria pasta; chicken - also pretty tasteless (despite a nice char), very dry (despite being in a pool of juice), and too sour with too little salt. Meatballs "barely ok" - but definitely nothing special, with pretty tasteless sauce. And the salad? Plain with plain oil and vinegar. Disappointing for any Italian in the city. Embarrassing for such a famous place. read more

I've been lucky enough to eat at Rao's many times. It's always GREAT! The food is just like eating at your Italian American Grandmothers house. The meatballs are amazing. Frank Pellegrino welcomes you with a big smile and loves to sing to the whole restaurant. Nick the Vest has been the bartender forever and he has some funny stories to tell. If you can get a table at Rao's, you must go. Good luck! read more

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This is my second time back, I just love this place. If you have the opportunity to go, do yourself a favor and go.

Ate here Monday night and was blown away by the service, the attention, the cocktails and of course the food. Bartender prepared one of the best manhattans I've ever had. Enjoyed drinks with friends and people watched a bit. Then got into the wine and dinner. Mozzarella in carozza were perfectly cooked, baked clams were again some of the best I've had. Sweet and tender broccoli rabe with shells. Stuffed veal chop was fork tender and very flavorful. The meatballs. Shocking. I must have them again. Also heard great things about their seafood salad. Hope to get the table again someday soon. read more

Absolutely the best around for Italian food. The meatballs, the seafood salad, and the Italian cheesecake are all home runs. If you are lucky enough to go, it is 150% worth it. You might even see a New York celebrity or two. Frank and the staff are so welcoming and it's so cozy it makes you never want to leave! read more

If you live in the NYC area you have probably heard about Raos. You also may know them from their jarred sauce. It's a mystical place with 10 or so reserved tables and it's impossible to get in. I was lucky enough to join a small group for dinner there in January. Overall a fantastic experience, it felt like going into an Italian movie in the 60's. It's a very small place but you walk in and are met with one of the owners sitting at a small bar. You grab and drink and he knew I had never been there. My host was a regular so they launched into hellos. We chatted with him while we grabbed a drink and he was telling stories, other people where chiming in, it was fantastic. It's a noisy place, servers running, people laughing - felt like I was at a family holiday meal. When we got our table the waiter came over (there is only one and think he might have been an owner) pulled up our chair and ran us through the options. Family style we picked a few selections in each category. He got up and left, we toasted and then plates started flying. We got a little of everything, include the meatballs which is the specialty. Everything was fantastic. The staff seems like they have been there forever, everybody knew everybody and lots of laughing and joking. What more to say, food was really good and the atmosphere was an A+++. We had a fantastic night, there was even an actor or two that night that I recognized. If you can ever wangle an invite, make sure you go. Otherwise you ain't getting a table. read more

I've eaten inside Rao's twice before the virus. Food is good. Liked the meatballs but for what you spend here, it's ridiculous amt. money for italian food. There are many far more tastier places without the heavy price tag and it's cash only. It's really more about prestige than food. I saw Martha Stewart when we ate there. All about the glam...lol. read more

My fiancée and I got lucky. This place is everything you expect and more. The food is out of this world, of course the meatballs are the star with the tomato sauce but that's not to say the other dishes are any less fantastic, the soft shell crab was outstanding. I still can't really believe it happened, but it did. read more

Rao's - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Such a wonderful experience! Felt like part of an Italian family. Every patron had a smile on her face, singing oldies, diving into fried mozzarella and delicious meatballs. This will be a night to remember! read more

Rao's - Yum! - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Wonderful Experience From start to finish! Food,Drinks,Staff,Environment everything was Great! read more

Rao's - What A Wonderful Experience! - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Nicky the Vest was so very kind to my date and I when we stopped in at the bar for an after dinner grappa, one magically misty spring evening. Our cash on hand was already depleted over dinner at nearby Patsy's and when it came time to pay our bar tab my date and I realized we needed an ATM. I hopped on my bike but apparently dropped my wallet on the patio. Found by guests Joey and All'ie coming out to enjoy their cigars. Nicky made sure I had it back in my possession in minutes. Thank you Nicky read more

Rao's - If these walls could only talk... - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

5 STAR'S--We ate at Rao's on Thursday July 22nd and the restaurant far exceeded my expectations. The food is great; the BEST meatballs you will ever eat. Frankie Pellegrino is the most personable host and enchanting owner I have ever had the pleasure of dining with. The ambience is like being in your grandmothers kitchen during the holidays. Nick the Vest and Joe add to this most pleasurable dining experience.All I have to do now is see how I can get invited back; Frankie are you listening???? Ciao--Dr.B read more

I had the extreme pleasure this past Monday night to be invited to dinner at Rao'sin East Harlem now as many of you may know it is nearly impossible to get into Rao's. So let's just say I know someone and leave it at that okay.anyway the atmosphere is amazing the food just as amazing and I highly recommend the meatballs there a must to grilled lamb chops exquisite the broccoli Rob with sausage phenomenal. As well as everything else we had the seafood salad the stuff clams I can go on and on .Frankie the owner was there what a great man and his staff are a tremendous they make you feel right at home Joey the maître d' the best.so if you ever get the opportunity and most of you won't make sure you get to RAO's read more

Rao's - Some of the items on the menu - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Great experience with a friend . The soft shell crab are dynamite. 2 inch pork chops with escarole. read more

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Nice old school Italian restaurant, hard of course to get a table but there a special ambience here that can't be duplicated , food is great , would come more often but that's not gonna happen read more

From our family to your family, Bravo!!! Frankie Thank you so much for making us feel a part of your family. Our experience on Thursday, July 22nd exceeded our expectations. Sal and I hope to join you again soon. Molto Buono!!! Ciao Caroline read more

Rao's - Bravo! - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

To be honest, the food far exceeded my expectations. I eat Italian food at least three times a week and have been to some of NYC's best Italian establishments. I was more excited about being able to dine at Rao's than to actually eat their food. The olive oil they use is amazing! We had the tomatoes and mozzarella, and the linguine with garlic and oil. Both are very simple dishes that you can get anywhere, but the olive oil really made them stand out. We also had the mussels in white wine sauce, meatballs, rigatoni in bolognese, lemon chicken and eggplant parm. The eggplant parm was not that great, but everything else was outstanding. Also, the staff was very nice and really made our experience great. read more

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Meatballs are to die for... great seafood salad ... the vest made the experience the best... the king of Italian food

I am sorry to say that the food was nothing to brag about. We tried a few items on the menu and I was not impressed. The decor was old run down and outdated. I looked around hoping to see a celeb or two but, was disappointed. At least that would have made the night interesting. The staff were quite friendly but, not worth waiting years for a reservation as some have done. read more

I recently had the pleasure of getting to dine at Rao's with my boyfriend Kevin. Boy what an awesome experience! Where do I begin... Let me paint the picture of this classic place... Rao's is a very quaint authentic italian restaurant. The vibe & history of this restaurant is just amazing. There are no drink or dinner menus (the menu is verbal) and they only take cash, no cards. Everybody knows everybody in this place. It's like an Italian, mafia type Cheer's style restaurant & bar. I first heard of Rao's from a friend who lives in New York, but was informed that it's almost impossible to get a reservation & that I have to know someone who owns a table there or works there. This automatically intrigued me & made me what to check it out even more. On a recent trip to NYC, we decided that we'd go to East Harlem on a Friday night and check out Rao's. We did not have a reservation but was told that we could sit at the bar for drinks. After several drinks at the bar with "D" (the bartender), being there for a couple hours & making friends with half of the restaurant, including very sweet Carmella & "Nicky Vest", we were invited to stay for dinner. I was completely beside myself and excitedly accepted the invitation. We sat at a small 2 top table where "Frankie No" came over & told us the menu. For our appetizers, we ordered mussels in a white wine sauce & fried mozzarella with marina sauce...Awesome! For dinner we ordered the biggest softball sized meatballs in marinara I've ever seen, pasta shells with ricotta cheese and marinara, veal parm & sautéed spinach....A-mazing!! This was the best italian food I've ever had! The overall experience of dining at Rao's and getting to meet all of the iconic people that work there was just a blessing. If you ever get invited or get lucky enough to have dinner there.....do it you won't regret!!! read more